Paula West will be honored as outstanding female jazz vocalist; Jackie Paris will be given a posthumous award for outstanding male jazz vocalist. Jazz artist Andy Bey will give a tribute performance at the ceremony in Paris's honor.

The Nightlife Awards also recognize outstanding performances in New York comedy and cabaret. The winners are chosen by a panel of more than 20 New York critics, including jazz critics Will Friedwald and Ira Gittler.

Producer Scott Siegel said of the awards, in a previous statement, "It is our particular intention to give New York City's nightlife: its clubs and performers: the same importance in the public mindset as Broadway."

Murphy, a six-time Grammy nominee, was discovered by Sammy Davis Jr. in Syracuse, New York. He has been performing for over 40 years, and has recorded over 40 albums. He has performed with Clark Terry, Dick Hyman, Roger Kellaway, David Sanborn, the Brecker Brothers, Frank Morgan, Richie Cole and the Azymuth Trio; and has created vocal versions of works by Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Pat Methany, Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter.